For the first time this season, Molalla will have a chance to prove themselves in a conference matchup. They will challenge the Estacada Rangers at 5:00 p.m. on Monday. Molalla is coming into the game hot, having won their last six games.
Molalla took a 15-run defeat the last time they faced off against North Marion, but this time they managed to keep it close and that made all the difference. The Indians sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with an 8-6 win over the Huskies on Friday. For those keeping track at home, that's the closest victory the Indians have posted since April 11, 2024.
Dillon Shultz
| 04/11/25 @ North Marion | 2 |
| 04/09/25 vs Elmira | 1 |
| 04/07/25 @ Astoria | 1 |
| 04/03/25 @ Sweet Home | 1 |
| 03/25/25 vs Tillamook | 1 |
Dillon Shultz was a major factor no matter where he played. On the mound, he didn't allow a single earned run and allowed only one hit over 4.2 innings pitched. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one hit in six consecutive appearances. He was also big at the plate, scoring two runs and stealing three bases while getting on base in three of his six plate appearances. The dominant performance also gave him a new career-high in RBI (two).
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Nyxon Hopping, who scored a run and stole three bases while going 3-for-4. Those three hits gave him a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Garrett Brusseau, who scored two runs and stole a base while going 2-for-5.
While Estacada didn't have the best season last year (they finished 7-17), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They were the clear victors by a 14-3 margin over Seaside on Thursday. The win made it back-to-back victories for the Rangers.
Like Molalla, Estacada also got a great game from a two-way player: Paul Ables. He pitched four innings while giving up just one earned run off five hits. Ables was also solid in the batter's box, scoring a run and stealing two bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances.
In other batting news, Will Olson and Blake Barger did most of the damage at the plate: Olson scored two runs and stole four bases while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances, while Barger scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-4. Dane Carpenter also deserves some recognition as he snagged his first stolen base of the season.
Estacada kept the outfield on their toes and finished the game with 15 hits. That's the most hits they've managed all season.
Molalla pushed their record up to 8-2 with the win, which was their fourth straight on the road. The road victories came thanks in part to their pitching effort, having only surrendered 2.8 runs on average over those games. As for Estacada, their record is now 7-3-1.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Monday as neither team is afraid to steal. Molalla has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 5.7 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Estacada struggles in that department as they've been averaging 3.5 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Molalla beat Estacada 7-2 when the teams last played back in May of 2024. Do the Indians have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Rangers turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
